Century Mine in the lower Gulf of the Carpentaria region of North West Queensland is scheduled to cease zinc production in 2016 after almost 20 years of operation. The mine is predominantly a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) operation, which has been a major employer of Aboriginal people in the region and is an important source of income flows into local and regional communities and businesses. The mine owner and operator, MMG, is undertaking a planning process to ensure Century Mine leaves a positive legacy and a demonstrable contribution to sustainable development of the community and region. Concurrently, Century is also participating in the 15 Year Review of the Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA) which is the Native Title agreement between the mine, Queensland Government and Waanyi, Mingginda, Gkuthaarn and Kukatj peoples. MMG invited CSRM to conduct a social impact assessment (SIA) of completion of mining at Century to assist the Gulf communities and the company to prepare for closure and to assist the parties to the GCA in refocussing on meeting the aspirations of the Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA).

To do this CSRM interviewed Century management, conducted surveys and interviews with Century employees; undertook consultations at Gulf communities (Normanton, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Burketown, Karumba and Gregory Downs); interviewed key regional businesses and analysed company and government sourced data.